SPOKANE, Wash. – Voters in Spokane County will be asked this November if they want to keep paying a sales tax that pays for juvenile detention and jail facilities.
County commissioners voted Tuesday to place the measure on the November ballot.
If approved, Spokane County would continue to collect $15.8 million a year from the 0.1% sales and use tax.
Commissioners will likely spend much of the next several months reminding voters that this is not a new tax.
“The Board recognizes the importance of our juvenile justice system, from supporting youth making positive changes, to providing accountability that protects community safety,” said Mary Kuney, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “This proposal is a renewal of an existing tax, something that has been approved by the voters five times previously and passed most recently in 2015 with nearly 70% voter approval.”
Spokane County said right now, the funds pay for juvenile corrections officers, probation counselors, medical staff and administration.
Some of the funds are also used for adult detention.
Spokane County pointed to a rise in juvenile cases and said that juvenile detention facilities also provide classes, medical and mental health care and education.
Voters who live in the city limits of Spokane could also be voting on a sales tax increase to pay for public safety measures and to deal with a budget shortfall.
Mayor Lisa Brown proposed the plan earlier this month.
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